The Original Reuben

Walter Schimmel, Jr. (walt@area.com) now lives in Campbell, Califonia. He was a nephew of Charles Schimmel, the innkeeper at the Blackstone Hotel in Omaha. "Charles Schimmel," Walter says, "with one of his poker pals REUBEN [Kay] Koolakofsky make the sandwich with sauerkraut [because] Schimmel had run out of lettuce. Their poker games were played in 'wee' hours of the AM. Schimmel, then, grilled the item to mask the kraut taste and melt the cheese."

The true and original Reuben sandwich was made with corned beef. The real secret of the receipe is to marinate the kraut in the Russian Dressing 24 hours prior to serving. "I know," Walter says, "I have worked in the kitchens that made thousands and thousands of Reubens"

So, here is our version -- take your favorite pumpernickel or black Russian rye bread, top it with corned beef, sauerkraut marinated in Russian dressing, and Swiss cheese. Grill the sandwich to melt the cheese.